Overview & Reviews

Chevrolet sells an impressively wide range of vehicles, from subcompact hatchbacks to huge vans and SUVs. If you're looking for a reasonably priced vehicle, odds are that Chevy will have something to fit your needs.

Chevrolet got its start in 1911. After William C. Durant had been ousted from General Motors, he joined forces with Swiss-born racecar driver Louis Chevrolet to found the Chevrolet Motor Car Company. The company's first offering was the Classic Six. Introduced in 1912, this five-passenger touring sedan could top 65 mph, fast for the time. Chevrolet's storied bowtie logo -- reportedly inspired by the wallpaper of a Paris hotel room that Durant stayed at -- made its first appearance in 1914.

By 1918, Chevrolet's profitability allowed Durant to purchase enough shares in GM to regain control. Chevrolet became another division of GM, and was its largest volume division by the mid-1920s. By 1927, Chevrolet outsold rival Ford, with sales in excess of 1 million units.

In the mid-1930s Chevrolet introduced independent front suspension, which provided a smoother ride over the rough roads of the day. The 1940s saw continued success with affordable coupes, sedans and pickup trucks catering to American families, farmers and businessmen.

By the mid-1950s, Chevrolet, GM's entry-level division, had added a V8 engine, power steering and brakes, power windows and air-conditioning to its list of available features, allowing luxury for those on a tighter budget. Around this time the iconic Bel Air model -- available in coupe, sedan, convertible and wagon body styles -- proved very popular. The company introduced its alluring Corvette in 1953; the vehicle was the first mass-produced car with a fiberglass body.

The 1960s saw the unveiling of the popular, air-cooled Corvair compact, which held the distinction of being the first domestic production car with all-around independent suspension. That decade also witnessed the launch of the compact Nova, the midsize Chevelle and the sporty Camaro, the latter Chevrolet's answer to the wildly successful Ford Mustang. The Camaro proved an instant hit, comprising 10 percent of Chevrolet's total sales in 1967, its first year of production.

In the 1970s, Chevy responded to changing preferences by introducing small cars like the Vega and the Chevette, and by downsizing larger models such as the Caprice and Malibu. The company combated the market domination of foreign nameplates in the 1980s by rolling out the Cavalier. By the end of that decade, trucks and SUVs had started to become increasingly popular with the general consumer, and the brand's mid- and full-size models continue to this day to be some of the most popular on the road.

The '90s and the early 2000s saw the company raising the performance bar with its Corvette (notably the Z06 and, later, ZR1 variants) and reincarnated Impala SS. Chevrolet's Silverado pickup truck and Tahoe/Suburban SUVs continued to be hits as well. By 2010, the Camaro had returned to the lineup after a seven-year hiatus.

Modern times have seen Chevrolet make significant improvements in its small and midsize car models and introduce the Volt plug-in hybrid. The latter provides a nearly 40-mile range on electric power alone, and adds to the company's already well-rounded lineup of cars, trucks and SUVs. Though today's marketplace is very demanding, Chevrolet seems poised to remain a power player through its affordable and innovative vehicles.

User Reviews:

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  No other vehicle will do it for me - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Rox - January 13 - 11:35 am

  Had the vehicle 5 months now. It is very comfortable. Love the heated seats and sunroof. The vehicle handles better than any other vehicle Ive had in the winter. I see people slipping and sliding all over the road in newer vehicles and my Nox is sturdy and safe. I highly recommend this vehicle to anyone who has a family and who lives in wintry conditions. I dont find the vehicle to be a gas oink and it doesnt cost that much to fill the tank. The vehicle handles well on the highway and even better in snowy conditions. Most people who see it comment on what a smart SUV it is and where did I get it. Thanks Chevy for the best vehicle weve ever owned!

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  la peor compra de mi vida - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Pedro Martin - January 13 - 4:56 am

  compre un chevy equinox del 2011 y desde el comienso me ha dado problemas de todo tipo alineacion ,las gomas , LA TRANSMISION, el aire acondicionado , todo eso sin contar que en realidad no recorre las millas que dice el consecionario se queda a lo mas en 25 millas por galon no vuelvo a comprar un auto a GMC es lo peor que pude haber comprado . muchos problemas que solucionar y pocas respuestas del consecionario mi calificacion es cero no recomiendo este auto a nadie y menos a familias con niños

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  Disappointed in the cars reliability. - 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By NYC Geezer - January 13 - 2:06 am

  I bought the car new in 2001 and still have it. Its initial appeal was all the standard features for the price compared to other small cars where almost every desired feature was an expensive option. Although I maintained the car very well to this day, it had its share of rattles & clunking noises from the day I first drove it. Fortunately, I bought an extended warranty when my 3 year/36000 mile new car warranty expired, because the car needed some very expensive mechanical repair work after the Chevy warranty expired. As a retiree on a fixed budget, I cant afford expensive repairs or a new car every several years, so Im thankful this car lasted till now, but no more GM compact cars for me!

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  Great 2007 C6 - 2007 Chevrolet Corvette
  By oldsuperdave - January 12 - 10:45 pm

  This is my first GM car in 25 years. Its a 2007 coupe with 6M Z51 2LT with about 14K miles. Its a dream come true. GM has really put together a great combination of performance, practicality, and efficiency. Performance in every aspect will make you forget your troubles for awhile when driving. Im pleasantly suprised at the effecient engine compartment layout as well as the well placed traditional interior controls, right where they should be. The interior, while good, could use a few improvements. However, overall, this is a great car. Only a slight roof sqeak and a differental noise, both corrected with known fixes.

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  Awesome Avalanche! - 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Western NJ Native - January 12 - 8:31 pm

  Nothing beats this vehicle for flexibility, functionality, performance and comfort. An awesome combination for an active family of four. Averaging almost 19 overall with typical NJ suburban traffic. Overall extremely satisfied with the entire package, best truck I have ever owned. Thanks Chevy

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  Still Fun 50 years later - 2007 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Rick Roma - January 12 - 6:34 pm

  My first Corvette was a 1957 that I sold in 1979 to buy my Home. I now have a new 2007 Coupe that was worth waiting for. It looks and drives just the way I want it to. Just enough power to get in trouble with. I drive the Corvette to work in good weather. Its the best feeling to drive a car that you love, even if its just to work. Jay Leno said it best "if you dont like the interior, buy a nice Dinette set."

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  Never Again - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By Never again - January 12 - 5:48 pm

  Started with electrical problems early on, door latch mech. fixed 2 times, wanted me to pay for the 3rd. Then replacement of a failed lower intake manifold gasket - read dex-cool - $700.00. Now service engine soon light flashing - helacoile rocker stu. & hardware $239. on 1/2007. Same thing on 11/2007 - $239...and my favorite 1/12/2009 - 6 failed, will fix for $2,500. Worst car experience Ive ever had..$3,100. for a dealer trade-in - I cant even do that, not worth fixing. Thinking of painting it yellow and parking it in front of the dealership.

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  Problematic! - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By J Powers - January 12 - 12:06 pm

  Within days of purchase realized the motor was too loud. Dealership said that was normal only to rescind that point of view a week later when we took a stand that it was unacceptable. Vehicle in the shop more than 2 weeks while they tore the motor down and discovered a bent connector rod. All fixed up at no additional cost to us, but not very impressed with a rebuild on my new vehicle. Recent problems include the inside windows actually frosting up and staying covered in ice despite the blowers going full tilt....again dealership indicated this is a problem with these types of vehicles. Wonderful news. To top it off, this morning the thing wouldnt start! Towed to the dealership again.

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  Best Chevy in a long, long time.... - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By waveho - January 12 - 11:36 am

  Have had about a week now, but immediately took on a 7-hour each-way trip over Easter to visit family. Very good driving vehicle. Quality seems very high. Engine is more than adequate, even though we moved from our beloved 02 Suburban. Seats on all three levels are better and roomier than the much bigger Burb! Not quite the road presence as the Burb, but what else does? Air conditioned seats should be standard on all cars! They are just wonderful. Rear entertainment system w/wireless headphones a total necessity for the two boys in the back. First time for them; they loved them. Navigation hiccuped a few times, and Im hopeful the dealership will address this. Good traction.

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  I am going to miss my van! - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By LOVED IT! - January 12 - 10:14 am

  I bought my Venture Van in 2004 with 65,000 miles on it. I absolutely loved my van. Had no major issues, plenty of space, the kids loved the DVD player, drove down the East Coast twice! Now with over 142,000 miles the van was totaled in a car accident. Both airbags deployed but everyone including my 13 year old who was sitting in the front passenger seat walked away without injury. I would highly reccommend this vehicle. My only complaint, may be some of the cheaper plastic pieces on the interior, but the safety and reliability win over a few cosmetic pieces on the seat.